Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/36

22 could point out but few modern glass paintings really entitled to rank with the productions of former ages. Of the rest, some are indeed examples of composition and drawing! others are inharmonious compilations from various authorities, parts of different designs having been indiscriminately huddled together: or else weak copies of ancient examples, the timidity or coarseness of the drawing betraying both the mediocrity of the painter, and his inability to embrace the spirit of the original.

The only sure mode, we apprehend, by which similar results may be avoided in future, will be by adopting the system so successfully practised abroad,—of seeking out artists, and employing them. We would therefore wish to see glass painting regarded again as an art, not as a mere decorative trade; and we would advise all persons to bestow their patronage in future with discrimination, making the artistical skill and knowledge of the practitioner the principal cause of his employment. By acting thus, we should not only stimulate to further exertion such of the present glass painters as are entitled to be called artists, but open as it were a new field of enterprize to artists, and encourage them to enter upon it. We have that confidence in the energy, industry, and skill of our native artists, that we feel assured that with fair play, and proper encouragement, we should witness them not only soon successfully imitating ancient glass paintings, but even at length bringing the art itself to a degree of perfection which it has never yet attained. We would strongly recommend the adoption of some vigorous measure for raising the standard of taste in regard to glass painting: it is absurd to leave things as they are. It should be recollected that every bad glass painting may be considered almost as an absolute waste of so much money as has been expended upon it.

The means that we would propose for effectuating this object would principally be, the subjecting to competition at least all the greater intended works in painted glass, and the submitting the rival designs to the judgment of competent persons, in whom artistical competitors might be induced therefore to place confidence. We cannot help thinking that such a censorship might be constituted, by associating with some first-rate artists, a select number of antiquaries, possessing a competent knowledge of glass painting; and that great results might be expected from such an union of artistical and technical knowledge. The difficulty of understanding the principles of glass